HBOT & Neuropathy
Neuropathy—sometimes referred to as “peripheral neuropathy”—is damage to or dysfunction of nerves, which results in pain, muscle weakness, and/or changes to the sensations in your skin. Your skin might feel tingling, itchy, cold, hot, or painful, or you might feel numb and not have any feeling at all. Neuropathy has many causes; some of the most common include diabetes, metabolic syndrome, trauma, chemotherapy, and heavy alcohol use (1). An estimated 25-30% of Americans will experience some form of neuropathy in their lifetimes.
There are over 100 types of neuropathy, and they can develop suddenly or over time (1). Nervous system diseases and disorders are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States (2). Treatments include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Each neuropathy patient’s prognosis is different, and many will struggle with chronic pain, mobility problems, or disability for the rest of their lives.
Fortunately, there is a safe, effective, medically proven treatment that can help repair your nerves, encourage cell regeneration, reduce your pain, and increase your mobility. It’s called hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT for short.
HBOT involves breathing 100% infused oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This enables oxygen to reach every part of the body, where it both repairs damaged cells and encourages new cellular growth (3). At the same time, HBOT promotes circulation and stem cell growth, which reduces inflammation and supports the immune system (3). For decades, HBOT has proven effective for treating a multitude of medical conditions, including diabetic wound healing, post-operative recovery, arthritis, and radiation skin damage (4).
We’ve known for some time that HBOT can be beneficial for many conditions, beyond the well-known ones like decompression sickness and gangrene. A 2021 review of the scientific literature shows that HBOT can have neuroprotective effects against experimental spinal cord injury, brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, peripheral nerve injury, and more (2). “Neuroprotective” refers to the preservation, repair, or regeneration of the nervous system’s cells, structure and function (5). We keep current on all HBOT neuropathy research, and are thrilled to see it being studied further. Our success in treating neuropathy patients at our hyperbarics clinic has convinced us that HBOT is the ideal treatment for neuropathy.
At Holistic Hyperbarics, we believe in the benefits of HBOT for neuropathy because we have seen how it greatly improves the lives of our patients. Our HBOT protocol has been proven to reduce pain, increase sensation, and improve our patients’ mobility. We work with everyone, and would love to tailor an HBOT regimen to your specific neuropathy needs.
If you are seeking treatment for neuropathy or any type of nervous system disorder or disease, we would love to support you. Our state-of-the art spa features knowledgeable staff, a relaxing environment, and comfortable hyperbaric chambers. We’d love to answer your questions about neuropathy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Give us a call today.
SOURCES:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14737-neuropathy
Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380.
Staff, IHAUSA. “Anti Aging.” International Hyperbarics Association, International Hyperbarics Association, 2020, www.ihausa.org/anti-aging.html.